Permanent Residency in Japan for Dual-Income Households: How to Show Income and Tax Records

Introduction

In the examination of permanent residency (PR) applications, one of the most important factors is whether the applicant has a stable financial foundation. In recent years, dual-income households have become common, with both spouses earning income. However, many applicants wonder: to what extent can household income be combined? or is it acceptable if the applicant’s individual income falls short?

This article explains how dual-income households can present their income and tax records when applying for PR in Japan, covering both official guidelines and practical considerations.

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Understanding Income Requirements for PR Applications

The fundamental principle behind PR approval is whether the applicant can continue to live stably in Japan in the long term. According to the official guidelines published by the Ministry of Justice, the applicant must have “sufficient assets or skills to maintain an independent livelihood” (Source: Ministry of Justice, Guidelines for Permanent Residency).

The key point here is that the applicant’s own income serves as the basis of evaluation. Since the person applying is the one seeking permanent residency, their income and employment stability form the core of the review.

That said, in reality, many households rely partly on the spouse’s income. As a result, in practice, immigration authorities may also take the household’s overall financial stability into account. Particular attention is paid to the following:

• Stability of income: whether income has been consistent without major fluctuations over several years
• Continuity of income: whether the applicant can reasonably expect the same or higher income in the future
• Balance with living expenses: even high income can be negatively assessed if expenses are excessively high

Thus, household income is not a simple substitute. First, the applicant’s income must be examined, and then household income may be used to reinforce the applicant’s case.

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Can Household Income Be Combined? Conditions and Caveats

The income requirement for PR is, in principle, assessed based on the applicant’s own income. However, if the applicant’s income falls slightly short, the spouse’s income may be added to demonstrate that the couple together maintains a stable household. This is known as household combination (世帯合算).

When Household Combination Is Accepted

Household combination is often effective when the following conditions are met:

• The couple lives together
  If spouses live separately, it is difficult to claim household unity.
• The marriage is genuine
  Authorities will check whether the couple actually lives as husband and wife, not just on paper.
• The spouse’s income is stable
  If the spouse only has temporary or irregular income, the effect is limited.

When It Is Useful

• When the applicant has stable employment but an annual income of around 3.5–4 million yen, slightly below the standard.
• When the spouse also works stably, and combined household income clearly shows sufficient financial capacity.

Caveats

1. Household combination does not work if the applicant has almost no income
   If the applicant is unemployed and completely dependent on the spouse, the requirement of “independent livelihood” is not satisfied.
2. Lack of supporting documentation weakens the case
   Both spouses’ tax certificates, withholding slips, and residence certificates must be submitted.
3. Insufficient explanation in the statement of reasons
   Without properly explaining the logic of household combination, the case may be judged simply as “insufficient applicant income.”

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When Individual Requirements Take Priority

Household combination is merely a supporting factor. The primary evaluation remains focused on the applicant’s own income and employment stability.

Principle: Applicant’s Own Income First

The Ministry of Justice guidelines clearly state that the applicant must be able to maintain an independent livelihood. Even if total household income is high, if the applicant is unemployed or highly unstable, the application may be denied.

Risks of Relying Too Much on Spouse’s Income

• If the spouse loses their job, the applicant alone cannot maintain the household.
• It contradicts the principle of “independent livelihood.”
• Applications where the applicant has almost zero income face strict scrutiny, regardless of household combination.

Common Reasons for Refusal

• Applicant has only part-time income while the spouse earns well → but applicant alone does not meet the standard.
• Applicant is unemployed, relying entirely on spouse’s income.
• Applicant has just changed jobs and is seen as unstable, relying too heavily on spouse’s income.

Key Point

• Household income works best when the applicant’s own income is close to the standard.
• It cannot cover cases where the applicant’s income is far below requirements.
• A logical explanation in the statement of reasons, citing both individual and household figures, is essential.

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Osaka Immigration Bureau’s Approach to Dual-Income Cases

Although PR criteria are consistent nationwide, there are slight differences in how regional immigration bureaus apply them. At the Osaka Immigration Bureau, some specific tendencies can be observed.

Careful Consideration of Household Combination

If the applicant’s income falls slightly short, Osaka often considers the spouse’s income carefully, especially when both spouses submit tax certificates.

Insufficient Explanation Can Backfire

Even with adequate household income, a weak explanation in documents may result in the case being judged as insufficient applicant income. Clear reasoning is essential.

Supporting Documents That Work Well

• Residence certificate listing all household members
• Utility or rent contracts under the couple’s names
• A written explanation of how expenses are shared in the household

Practical Advice

• Always submit both spouses’ tax certificates if household income is to be cited.
• Include a statement of reasons explaining “applicant income + spouse income = stable household.”
• Supplement with documents proving actual cohabitation and household unity.

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How to Present Tax Compliance

Along with income stability, tax compliance is another key factor. Even with high income, unpaid taxes or social insurance contributions can result in denial due to “lack of social credibility.”

Documents Always Checked

• Taxation (income) certificate: issued by the city office, showing previous year’s income and tax amount
• Tax payment certificate (No.1 & No.2): issued by the tax office, proving there are no arrears
• Social insurance payment records: often shown on withholding slips for employees

Risks of Non-Compliance

• Even minor delays (1–2 months) may be negatively assessed.
• Installment payments require explanation and proof of completion.
• Failure to pay pension or health insurance premiums is taken very seriously.

Practical Tips

• Always submit the latest available certificates.
• If there were delays, provide written explanations.
• For household combination, attach both spouses’ tax payment certificates to demonstrate full compliance.

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Documents Dual-Income Households Should Submit

To strengthen their case, dual-income households should prepare not only the applicant’s documents but also the spouse’s.

Required Documents (Applicant and Spouse)

• Taxation (income) certificate
• Tax payment certificate (No.1 & No.2)
• Withholding slip from employer

Supporting Documents for Household Combination

• Residence certificate listing all household members
• Marriage certificate or proof of registered marriage
• Utility or rent contracts under the couple’s names

Case-Specific Supporting Documents

• Recent job change: employment contract, offer letter, recent payslips
• Self-employed applicants: tax returns, financial statements, invoices, and bank records
• Spouse with part-time job: employer’s certificate of employment, payslips to prove continuity

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Document Checklist (Summary Table)

Document	Who	Issued by	Purpose
Taxation (income) certificate	Applicant & Spouse	City office	Confirms income and tax amount
Tax payment certificate (No.1 & No.2)	Applicant & Spouse	Tax office	Proves no tax arrears
Withholding slip	Applicant & Spouse	Employer	Confirms annual salary and insurance payments
Residence certificate	Household	City office	Proves cohabitation
Marriage certificate / registration proof	Household	City office	Proves genuine marriage
Utility / rent contract	Household	Service providers	Proves actual household unity

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can household income be combined even if spouses use different family names?

Yes. Many international couples or foreign spouses have different surnames. What matters is proof of a genuine marriage and cohabitation, not surname matching.

Q2: What if one spouse is a non-regular worker?

Combination is possible, but irregular income has weaker effect. Provide employer certificates or multiple payslips to show continuity.

Q3: What if the applicant recently changed jobs?

A job change raises concerns about stability. However, if the spouse has stable employment, household combination can offset this. The applicant should also submit the new contract, offer letter, and payslips to demonstrate stability.

Q4: Can PR be granted if the applicant has no income but the spouse earns a high salary?

Generally no. The requirement of “independent livelihood” is not met if the applicant has zero income. It is best if the applicant earns at least some income, supplemented by the spouse’s.

Conclusion: How to Leverage the Strength of Dual-Income Households

The greatest advantage of dual-income households in PR applications is the ability to show strong financial stability with two incomes. Even if the applicant’s income is just at the borderline, the spouse’s income can reinforce the case.

To maximize this strength:

• Present the applicant’s own income first, then use household income as reinforcement.
• Ensure perfect tax compliance by both spouses.
• Provide documents that prove actual household unity.
• Explain income and expenses clearly in the statement of reasons, with specific numbers.

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Final Note

Dual-income households often have an advantage in PR applications, but relying solely on the spouse’s income is risky. Always base the application on the applicant’s own income, and use household income as strong supplementary evidence.

Ishinagi Administrative Scrivener Office

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If this sounds like you, please feel free to contact our office in Osaka (Yodogawa-ku). We support clients from all over Japan, providing the most effective assistance based on our extensive experience with immigration procedures.

If you want to secure your permanent residency smoothly and confidently, contact our office today.

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